Virtual SIM cards pose a new headache for security agencies fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as their use in the valley has seen an increase among terror groups to connect with their handlers in Pakistan, officials said here.

The penetration of this new technology was found in 2019 when a request was sent to the United States to seek details from a service provider of "virtual SIMs" used by suicide bomber of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group involved in the Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

However, a detailed investigation done by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other security agencies indicated that over 40 virtual SIM cards were used in the Pulwama attack alone, and there are probably more of them floating in the cyberspace of the valley, the officials said.

It is a fairly new modus operandi wherein terrorists across the border are using "virtual SIM" cards, generated by a service provider from a foreign country.

In this technology, the computer generates a telephone number and the user downloads an application of the service provider on their smartphone.

The number is linked to social networking sites like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram or Twitter.

The verification code for activating the service is generated by these networking sites and received on the smartphone.

The officials said the numbers used were pre-fixed with a country code or Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) number.

They said that, besides telecom companies in the US, Canada, the UK, Israel, numbers of Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island being controlled by the US, are doing the rounds in the market.

Every mobile phone instrument is sent for a detailed forensic analysis to have a thorough check to look for any telltale signs of use of virtual SIM cards, the officials said.

Technology has its pros and cons, and while fighting terrorism, the security agencies have to not only keep up the pace but also move a step ahead of those planning to misuse it, says an official.

The risk of forging identities during purchase of virtual SIM cards also runs high.

During investigation of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, it was found that an amount of USD 229 was wired to Callphonex, via Western Union Money Transfer receipt number 8364307716-0, for activating the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) used during the strikes.

The money was received from 'Madina Trading' located in Brescia in Italy and sender was claimed to be Javed Iqbal, a resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

However, after Italian police arrested two Pakistani nationals in 2009, it was alleged that the firm had made nearly 300 transfers in the name of Iqbal, who probably had never set his foot in Italy.

The Italian police, while concluding the probe, had said the Brescia-based company made several transfers using the identity of innocent, unsuspecting persons, whose identity cards or passports might have been stolen.

Virtual SIM cards pose a new headache for security agencies fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as their use in the valley has seen an increase among terror groups to connect with their handlers in Pakistan, officials said here.

Virtual SIM cards pose a new headache for security agencies fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as their use in the valley has seen an increase among terror groups to connect with their handlers in Pakistan, officials said here. The penetration of this new technology was found in 2019 when a request was sent to the United States to seek details from a service provider of "virtual SIMs" used by suicide bomber of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group involved in the Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. However, a detailed investigation done by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other security agencies indicated that over 40 virtual SIM cards were used in the Pulwama attack alone, and there are probably more of them floating in the cyberspace of the valley, the officials said. It is a fairly new modus operandi wherein terrorists across the border are using "virtual SIM" cards, generated by a service provider from a foreign country. In this technology, the computer generates a telephone number and the user downloads an application of the service provider on their smartphone. The number is linked to social networking sites like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram or Twitter. The verification code for activating the service is generated by these networking sites and received on the smartphone. The officials said the numbers used were pre-fixed with a country code or Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) number. They said that, besides telecom companies in the US, Canada, the UK, Israel, numbers of Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island being controlled by the US, are doing the rounds in the market. Every mobile phone instrument is sent for a detailed forensic analysis to have a thorough check to look for any telltale signs of use of virtual SIM cards, the officials said. Technology has its pros and cons, and while fighting terrorism, the security agencies have to not only keep up the pace but also move a step ahead of those planning to misuse it, says an official. The risk of forging identities during purchase of virtual SIM cards also runs high. During investigation of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, it was found that an amount of USD 229 was wired to Callphonex, via Western Union Money Transfer receipt number 8364307716-0, for activating the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) used during the strikes. The money was received from 'Madina Trading' located in Brescia in Italy and sender was claimed to be Javed Iqbal, a resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, after Italian police arrested two Pakistani nationals in 2009, it was alleged that the firm had made nearly 300 transfers in the name of Iqbal, who probably had never set his foot in Italy. The Italian police, while concluding the probe, had said the Brescia-based company made several transfers using the identity of innocent, unsuspecting persons, whose identity cards or passports might have been stolen.

Virtual SIM cards pose new headache for security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir

Terrorists attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party deployed at South Kashmir`s mini secretariat here.

No casualties or injuries reported so far and the area has been cordoned off.More details awaited.

On Thursday morning, a CRPF personnel succumbed to injuries sustained after terrorists attacked a CRPF party in Kaisermulla area at Chadoora in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp; 
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Terrorists attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party deployed at South Kashmir`s mini secretariat here. No casualties or injuries reported so far and the area has been cordoned off.

Terrorists attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party deployed at South Kashmir`s mini secretariat here. No casualties or injuries reported so far and the area has been cordoned off.More details awaited. On Thursday morning, a CRPF personnel succumbed to injuries sustained after terrorists attacked a CRPF party in Kaisermulla area at Chadoora in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Terrorists attack security forces in Kashmir; no casualties reported

A civilian has died while 19 others including three security forces personnel have sustained injuries in a grenade attack at a busy market in the heart of Srinagar. Suspected terrorists hurled a grenade when people were busy buying commodities and essentials in the market where street vendors had put up carts.

Sources told WION that around 1:20 pm&nbsp;a grenade was hurled at the Gani Khan market in which 20 civilians suffered injuries, among them&nbsp;one person succumbed to his injuries&nbsp;while two are still critical.

Eyewitnesses told WION that soon after the attack, there was chaos as people started to run.&nbsp;

"Rinku Singh, a resident of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh succumbed at the hospital while two civilians identified as Ajaz and Fayaz Ahmad are battling for their life," a police officer told WION.&nbsp;

All the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment where one civilian who is yet to be identified died. Soon after the attack, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area to look for the attackers.&nbsp;

On October 12, terrorists had lobbed a grenade, just meters away from the spot, injuring five&nbsp;civilians. Last month, terrorists also hurled two grenades at a bus stand in north Kashmir’s Sopore in which more than a dozen civilians sustained injuries.

A civilian has died while 19 others including three security forces personnel have sustained injuries in a grenade attack at a busy market in the heart of Srinagar.

A civilian has died while 19 others including three security forces personnel have sustained injuries in a grenade attack at a busy market in the heart of Srinagar. Suspected terrorists hurled a grenade when people were busy buying commodities and essentials in the market where street vendors had put up carts. Sources told WION that around 1:20 pm a grenade was hurled at the Gani Khan market in which 20 civilians suffered injuries, among them one person succumbed to his injuries while two are still critical. Eyewitnesses told WION that soon after the attack, there was chaos as people started to run. "Rinku Singh, a resident of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh succumbed at the hospital while two civilians identified as Ajaz and Fayaz Ahmad are battling for their life," a police officer told WION. All the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment where one civilian who is yet to be identified died. Soon after the attack, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area to look for the attackers. On October 12, terrorists had lobbed a grenade, just meters away from the spot, injuring five civilians. Last month, terrorists also hurled two grenades at a bus stand in north Kashmir’s Sopore in which more than a dozen civilians sustained injuries.

J&K: One dead, 19 injured in grenade attack

Terrorists on Saturday fired upon an army camp located in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.

The camp of army unit 1 Rashtriya Rifles was located in Khudwani village, ANI reported.

The area is being cordoned off and a search operation is underway.

The same evening, terrorists decamped with two service rifles of two policemen in Anantnag's&nbsp;Dabran area.

More details are awaited.

On Friday also terrorists had fired upon a police post in Kulgam. They had also hurled a grenade at an army camp of the 34 Rashtriya Rifles in the district's Nihama village.

Incidents of grenade attacks by terrorists have been on the rise in Kashmir.

On Thursday, terrorists hurled a grenade attack near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Srinagar.

On May 23, at least six civilians were injured in a grenade attack in the state's Anantnag district.

The camp of army unit 1 Rashtriya Rifles was located in Khudwani village

Terrorists on Saturday fired upon an army camp located in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. The camp of army unit 1 Rashtriya Rifles was located in Khudwani village, ANI reported. The area is being cordoned off and a search operation is underway. The same evening, terrorists decamped with two service rifles of two policemen in Anantnag's Dabran area. More details are awaited. On Friday also terrorists had fired upon a police post in Kulgam. They had also hurled a grenade at an army camp of the 34 Rashtriya Rifles in the district's Nihama village. Incidents of grenade attacks by terrorists have been on the rise in Kashmir. On Thursday, terrorists hurled a grenade attack near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Srinagar. On May 23, at least six civilians were injured in a grenade attack in the state's Anantnag district.

Terrorists fire at army camp in J&K's Kulgam